Puerto Rico Slammed by Maria, Electricity Gone

Hurricane Maria churned across Puerto Rico Wednesday as the most powerful storm to strike the island in more than 80 years, knocking out power and water to nearly the entire population and leaving people huddled in buildings to ride out powerhouse winds that have already left death and devastation across the Caribbean.

"On the forecast track, [Maria] would be the most destructive hurricane in Puerto Rico history," tweeted Eric Blake, a forecaster at the Hurricane Center.

in light of the wave of natural (and political) disasters besetting us, let me say L'Shana Tova to Jeralyn and all those celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year beginning at sundown today. Here's to grandchildren in the coming year, as a sign that things can be better.